Likely the thing most crucial to our success in life (outside of God's will making you successful) is being prepared. I'll confess that I kind of like the rush of doing things last minute but that's probably one of my greatest weaknesses. It plays out in forgetting to do things related to my job and also in my spiritual life. Sometimes I think I let the thrill of working on the fly cover the reality that I should be prepared with prayer and time with God.
As I've spent the morning trying to prepare for a week of vacation it seems to me that one of my goals for 2009 should be to prepare more diligently - both in work tasks and my spiritual life. It's not that I don't prepare most of the time - I'm quite a bit more diligent and steady at spending time with God and administrative tasks than I ever have been and yet I know I could be better. So off with procrastinating and on with "the new self" :)
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Reframing New Year's Resolutions
I've never been a New Year's Resolver. In days gone by I've had a pretty low view of those who make NYR's. I believe this mostly comes from my experience with the kinds of resolutions people make and how often they are kept. I mean, hardly anyone makes them to begin with and those who do tend to stick with things like lose weight, exercise more, watch less TV or even the ever so nobel read my bible or pray more. Those resolutions are good ones to make but it seems to me that the percentage of people who keep their resolutions is about negative 10 to the ninth power. In other words, practically no one.
I think it's because we need to reframe NYR's. See, because so many people fail to take the resolutions seriously we fail to take them seriously - at least that's my theory. So my solution is to come up with a list of goals I want to accomplish in 2009. I know, I know - what's the difference? Nothing in reality. But practically sometimes renaming something flips a switch in our minds and gets us to think differently and act differently.
So, what about you? Are you a successful resolver or are you like me and need to reframe? Either way I've come to think that setting goals for your year is a really good thing. Its highly unlikely that you'll become the person you mean to become or more correctly the person God wants you to become if you don't spend some time thinking about what that looks like and how you're going to get there. Perhaps you could start with the traditional catergories: spiritual and physical. Set a goal for each of those and if you achieve them you'll be much better off at the end of 2009.
I think it's because we need to reframe NYR's. See, because so many people fail to take the resolutions seriously we fail to take them seriously - at least that's my theory. So my solution is to come up with a list of goals I want to accomplish in 2009. I know, I know - what's the difference? Nothing in reality. But practically sometimes renaming something flips a switch in our minds and gets us to think differently and act differently.
So, what about you? Are you a successful resolver or are you like me and need to reframe? Either way I've come to think that setting goals for your year is a really good thing. Its highly unlikely that you'll become the person you mean to become or more correctly the person God wants you to become if you don't spend some time thinking about what that looks like and how you're going to get there. Perhaps you could start with the traditional catergories: spiritual and physical. Set a goal for each of those and if you achieve them you'll be much better off at the end of 2009.
Monday, December 29, 2008
Submit to your leaders...no matter how far away they live
Yesterday at WLA Mike preached a sermon on New Year's Resolution and suggested three people that you might want to study/emulate this year in an effort to move your life closer to what God would want for you. I think this can be a really way to conform your life to the image God has in mind for you. The Bible makes it clear that this is something we should do:
"Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith."
Our world is so small now. The internet makes it easy for us to have spiritual leaders who impact us greatly but live thousands of miles away. I'd like to share with you the top four distance leaders in my life this year and hope that these men would inspire, challenge and encourage you this year.
1) Erwin McManus: Erwin is lead pastor and "cultural architect" (love that title) at Mosaic in Los Angeles. I love Erwin's passion for challenging us to become and influencer of culture and to become all that we can be in Christ.
2) Francis Chan: I first got to hear Francis speak at the Willow Arts Conference this past June. His message touched me deeply. I bought his book Crazy Love immediately. It's a call for us to consider Christ's radical call to love people with everything we have as more than metaphor. To take it literally. Beware... this book WILL mess you up.
3) Mark Driscoll: Mark is reformed theology for the postmodern man. He has much to read and emulate but recently he did a sermon series on Song of Solomon called "The Peasant Princess". This series on marriage as God intended should be required viewing (available through iTunes under Mars Hill's video podcast) for everyone thinking of ever getting married. Honestly, that's not hyperbole - the advice throughout that series has changed my marriage in ways that I could never thank Mark enough for.
4) Andy Stanley: the son of Charles Stanley continues to do his name sake proud. I think Andy is putting out leadership material as awesome as Willow was putting out in the mid 90's. Any book by Andy is worth reading. However, his podcasts are equally awesome. Andy has a knack for condensing a whole sermon into one memorable phrase that sticks with you and changes your thinking. Adding him to your weekly routine will allow God room to relevantly and practically change your life.
So there - four men who, despite their distance, very much feel like friends and mentors. Perhaps they won't all work for you but I'd wager adding any of them to your 2009 routines will inspire and challenge you in ways you'd be glad of when we start partying like it's 2010.
"Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith."
Our world is so small now. The internet makes it easy for us to have spiritual leaders who impact us greatly but live thousands of miles away. I'd like to share with you the top four distance leaders in my life this year and hope that these men would inspire, challenge and encourage you this year.
1) Erwin McManus: Erwin is lead pastor and "cultural architect" (love that title) at Mosaic in Los Angeles. I love Erwin's passion for challenging us to become and influencer of culture and to become all that we can be in Christ.
2) Francis Chan: I first got to hear Francis speak at the Willow Arts Conference this past June. His message touched me deeply. I bought his book Crazy Love immediately. It's a call for us to consider Christ's radical call to love people with everything we have as more than metaphor. To take it literally. Beware... this book WILL mess you up.
3) Mark Driscoll: Mark is reformed theology for the postmodern man. He has much to read and emulate but recently he did a sermon series on Song of Solomon called "The Peasant Princess". This series on marriage as God intended should be required viewing (available through iTunes under Mars Hill's video podcast) for everyone thinking of ever getting married. Honestly, that's not hyperbole - the advice throughout that series has changed my marriage in ways that I could never thank Mark enough for.
4) Andy Stanley: the son of Charles Stanley continues to do his name sake proud. I think Andy is putting out leadership material as awesome as Willow was putting out in the mid 90's. Any book by Andy is worth reading. However, his podcasts are equally awesome. Andy has a knack for condensing a whole sermon into one memorable phrase that sticks with you and changes your thinking. Adding him to your weekly routine will allow God room to relevantly and practically change your life.
So there - four men who, despite their distance, very much feel like friends and mentors. Perhaps they won't all work for you but I'd wager adding any of them to your 2009 routines will inspire and challenge you in ways you'd be glad of when we start partying like it's 2010.
Friday, December 26, 2008
Thursday, December 25, 2008
So this is Christmas
And I'm wondering...what have you done? Tell me your greatest Christmas moment of 2008.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Ever wonder if your role is important?
Have you ever showed up on a Sunday morning and wondered whether or not you're really needed? Sometimes the music doesn't really need another instrument, does it? Or perhaps another vocal seems one too many? Or maybe your technical position seems to be totally redundant or unappreciated. I think these are pretty natural thoughts perhaps especially at 7am when we'd way rather be in our warm bed.
This past weekend illustrated to me why each role is invaluable even when at first glance you might not think you're needed. Take the role we call service manager. This past weekend I had no role (which is an odd thing) and scheduled a service manager. I do this for a couple of reasons not the least of which is just getting to mingle more with the people of the church and to worship with my wife on occasion. This past weekend was a pretty basic service and to be honest I had second thoughts about dragging our service manager out of bed. I could have done the job, mingled, and sat with my wife the whole service. I left her on the schedule anyhow and in hindsight, I'm totally glad I did.
we ended up having a huge computer problem 20 minutes before the service, things started late and we still had no video for 20 minutes. I was stressed. Our service manager did an amazing job and I couldn't have done the job without her!
So what's my point? This: sometimes you can't see the ways in which you will be a blessing to someone until you're there and you give God the chance to take your role and effect life change in someone else. Sometimes the line you play as a part of the band stands out and inspires someone to worship God all the louder. That extra voice? Maybe its the sound God uses to remind us of His presence through a felt emotion and the medium through which His wonder is experienced. You may never know how much the service you offer is used by God but I'd be willing to bet this has been true of you when you least expected it.
This past weekend illustrated to me why each role is invaluable even when at first glance you might not think you're needed. Take the role we call service manager. This past weekend I had no role (which is an odd thing) and scheduled a service manager. I do this for a couple of reasons not the least of which is just getting to mingle more with the people of the church and to worship with my wife on occasion. This past weekend was a pretty basic service and to be honest I had second thoughts about dragging our service manager out of bed. I could have done the job, mingled, and sat with my wife the whole service. I left her on the schedule anyhow and in hindsight, I'm totally glad I did.
we ended up having a huge computer problem 20 minutes before the service, things started late and we still had no video for 20 minutes. I was stressed. Our service manager did an amazing job and I couldn't have done the job without her!
So what's my point? This: sometimes you can't see the ways in which you will be a blessing to someone until you're there and you give God the chance to take your role and effect life change in someone else. Sometimes the line you play as a part of the band stands out and inspires someone to worship God all the louder. That extra voice? Maybe its the sound God uses to remind us of His presence through a felt emotion and the medium through which His wonder is experienced. You may never know how much the service you offer is used by God but I'd be willing to bet this has been true of you when you least expected it.
Friday, December 19, 2008
Strengths Finder 2.0 says I am...
Strategic
Futuristic
Achiever
Learner
Individualization (which means identifying and deploying people where they are uniquely gifted)
Those of you who know me - do you think this is true?
Futuristic
Achiever
Learner
Individualization (which means identifying and deploying people where they are uniquely gifted)
Those of you who know me - do you think this is true?
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Honestly... I think Canadians have much to learn from Americans
I know I said this (or something like it)after I got back from Washington but it popped into my head again today. This time its regarding our relationship to God. I'm not going to talk here about how much more culturally acceptable it is to be Christian in the US than in Canada but I'm going to address and underlying problem between the average American Xian and that of Canada: we don't believe God is as big in Canada as he is in the US.
I love our country. I love the church. Above both of those I love God and love seeing him made much of. I feel like often times we acknowledge God, give him a tip of the hat but we don't look at Him as the God who moves mountains... who's Spirit moves in power and who can do "immeasurably more" in our lives and country. Canadians are too polite for that. I think the biblical term is lukewarm. We don't claim promises because it would be presumptuous. We don't dream big because its not humble enough. We don't ask because we don't think we're worthy to receive. Let us remember... we bear the image of God as much as our American friends and as such, our potential is as enormous as theirs.
I don't want to be an American. I don't think America is a better country. I do think we need passionate Canadians to care about God's image in this country. More rightly understood, we need to respond to God's call to be effective ambassadors of Him in this land. We need to take risks, get outside our comfort zones, engage culture and win souls for the kingdom of God. Let us not be doomed to be spit out of the mouth of our Lord but to be embraced as those who did well and with whom he is well pleased.
I love our country. I love the church. Above both of those I love God and love seeing him made much of. I feel like often times we acknowledge God, give him a tip of the hat but we don't look at Him as the God who moves mountains... who's Spirit moves in power and who can do "immeasurably more" in our lives and country. Canadians are too polite for that. I think the biblical term is lukewarm. We don't claim promises because it would be presumptuous. We don't dream big because its not humble enough. We don't ask because we don't think we're worthy to receive. Let us remember... we bear the image of God as much as our American friends and as such, our potential is as enormous as theirs.
I don't want to be an American. I don't think America is a better country. I do think we need passionate Canadians to care about God's image in this country. More rightly understood, we need to respond to God's call to be effective ambassadors of Him in this land. We need to take risks, get outside our comfort zones, engage culture and win souls for the kingdom of God. Let us not be doomed to be spit out of the mouth of our Lord but to be embraced as those who did well and with whom he is well pleased.
Monday, December 15, 2008
What's the first thing you think of...
...when you watch this?
Me? How will the church leverage this and change its methods for the Kingdom?
Me? How will the church leverage this and change its methods for the Kingdom?
Friday, December 12, 2008
Featured Blog Fridays: Flowerdust.net
Anne is a social netowrking genious. She also has a huge heart for the poor. Put them together and you get a self-made (well God made but you know) activist.
Check out Flowerdust
Check out Flowerdust
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Unity - there's power there
Last week's big news was the whole coalition government hoopla. Suddenly the man who did the worst campaign in Canadian history was poised to take over leadership of the country. Why? Supposed unity between the three opposing parties. However, it now seems Dion was not able to hold the coalition in unity and now it's old news.
The power of unity is an amazing thing. If you want to make a statement you can. If you want your statement to be noticed, make it with all the other like minded people you can find. All of your individual statements can do not hold the same weight as one unified statement from all of you together. This hit me as I received about 7 invites to various Facebook groups protesting the coalition. It seems to me that searching for a group that already exists and joining with them would have been better than every 5 minutes another group popping up. Chances are the one big group, unified in purpose, would have created a bigger stir than the 20 groups with 10 members each.
The church could learn this lesson too I think. Jesus desired unity for us. He prayed for it for us probably because he knew we'd fail miserably at it save by His power and grace. It seems to me we'd get a lot more done if unity was our goal. Too often churches see each other as competition not as co-laborers.
I really like what Lifechurch.tv started in its One Prayer campaign. I'd encourage you, find ways by which you can be united with more Christians. The is power in unity.
The power of unity is an amazing thing. If you want to make a statement you can. If you want your statement to be noticed, make it with all the other like minded people you can find. All of your individual statements can do not hold the same weight as one unified statement from all of you together. This hit me as I received about 7 invites to various Facebook groups protesting the coalition. It seems to me that searching for a group that already exists and joining with them would have been better than every 5 minutes another group popping up. Chances are the one big group, unified in purpose, would have created a bigger stir than the 20 groups with 10 members each.
The church could learn this lesson too I think. Jesus desired unity for us. He prayed for it for us probably because he knew we'd fail miserably at it save by His power and grace. It seems to me we'd get a lot more done if unity was our goal. Too often churches see each other as competition not as co-laborers.
I really like what Lifechurch.tv started in its One Prayer campaign. I'd encourage you, find ways by which you can be united with more Christians. The is power in unity.
Some great ideas for changing a life at Christmas
I really think we as Christians should look to leverage our Christmas giving to change lives at Christmas time. At WLA we're supporting many ministries not the least of which is Advent Conspiracy. Giving money to a cause instead of to a scarf of questionable significance is one way to change a life through giving.
I also think there are certain gifts you can give that might help stimulate life change. For me, books are a particularly good way to get me thinking and so I thought I'd do a list of the top 10 books that are changing my heart and mind. All of these books are available on Amazon for a reasonable amount of money...
Crazy Love by Francis Chan
Wild Goose Chase by Mark Batterson
Unceasing Worship by Harold Best
The Barbarian Way by Erwin McManus
Unchristian by David Kinnaman
Visioneering by Andy Stanley
In a Pit WIth a Lion on a Snowy Day by Mark Batterson
Expositions of Romans by Martyn Lloyd Jones
God is the Gospel by John Piper
The ESV Study BIble
I've read all of these books this year and each one presented me with much to think about and grow from. I'd wholeheartedly recommend any of them to the believer on your list!
I also think there are certain gifts you can give that might help stimulate life change. For me, books are a particularly good way to get me thinking and so I thought I'd do a list of the top 10 books that are changing my heart and mind. All of these books are available on Amazon for a reasonable amount of money...
Crazy Love by Francis Chan
Wild Goose Chase by Mark Batterson
Unceasing Worship by Harold Best
The Barbarian Way by Erwin McManus
Unchristian by David Kinnaman
Visioneering by Andy Stanley
In a Pit WIth a Lion on a Snowy Day by Mark Batterson
Expositions of Romans by Martyn Lloyd Jones
God is the Gospel by John Piper
The ESV Study BIble
I've read all of these books this year and each one presented me with much to think about and grow from. I'd wholeheartedly recommend any of them to the believer on your list!
Friday, December 5, 2008
Featured Blog Fridays: Lifehacker
This one falls kind of outside of the general scope of the purpose for this blog but just in case some of you are as geeky as me: www.lifehacker.com is worth the look.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
You have to love C.S. Lewis
... and not just cause its cool for Christians to like him. Lewis is one of the greatest Christian minds in history...or so I have come to think. Here's a quote I read today that resonates with me right now:
"We need to be reminded more than instructed."
Do you find that to be true? Isn't it so easy to forget the simplest things you've already been taught and apply them, let alone adding more to your mound of knowledge? Would we be better representatives of Christ if we worked on knowing and applying just some simple truths? What's your take? How does this thought impact you?
"We need to be reminded more than instructed."
Do you find that to be true? Isn't it so easy to forget the simplest things you've already been taught and apply them, let alone adding more to your mound of knowledge? Would we be better representatives of Christ if we worked on knowing and applying just some simple truths? What's your take? How does this thought impact you?
Monday, December 1, 2008
World AIDS Day
Today is World AIDS Day. AIDS is one of the worst epidemics in human history and one of the churches greatest opportunities to show the love of Christ and his passion for justice to our world. My heart has been broken for Sub-Saharan Africa. I hope to visit and serve there sooner than later. Would you pray for those afflicted by this epidemic and for the church as it seeks to show love?
To learn more about the scope of this problem visit CBCNews.ca
To learn more about the scope of this problem visit CBCNews.ca
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